"Women Leaving the Workforce"

As heard on Megyn Kelly's, America Live, women are leaving the workforce or unable to get employment in the workforce. The unemployment numbers for women has reached over 50,000,000. In the last two months, women lost over 300,000 jobs.

Reasons For Women Leaving the Workforce

Perhaps the biggest reason for the decline of women in the workforce is, the economy. A vast majority of women are learning how to make the dollar stretch in a one income family. Many women with children cannot afford full time childcare without a pay increase, and do not qualify for government subsidies.

Other reasons include could definitely include the fact that they are under appreciated, considered uncommited when it comes to choosing family over work, and at times do not seem to possess the same skills as men. Even so, why is it that so many of these women have college degrees and have proven to be just as productive and more than willing to work, just as their male colleagues?

What Could Help Women In The Workforce?

A huge help would be affordable childcare, or even businesses which offer childcare on site. The average childcare cost for one child is $11,000 a year. This is managable with one child, and for married women, but with two or more children in full time childcare it is not even worth working.

Some childcares can cost as much as $18,000 and up. Affordable chidlcare is a need. Childcare cost often exceeds more than 10% of the income earned. That may not seem like much for some, but what if a mom with a degree is just starting in the workforce. This percantage is arguble because it's really more like 40% going by the average cost. That's 40% a year going to childcare, leaving a single mom (or dad) with 60% for bills, loans, rent, mortgage and so on. 40% may not sound much, but when budgeting and depending on what the job requires one to buy or invest in, it makes for a tight budget.

As a conservative, this sounds like a liberal fairness issue, but in a way it is. Mainly because there are women on both sides who have had to choose, do "I" choose to raise my kids and budget adequately and still make enough for bills and some pocket money, or is it better to work? And in that case, will there be money left over to pay bills and afford other needs (such as clothes for growing children and food and health/dental costs).

Another reason is, the wage difference. Men, reportedly, earn more than women. They seem to get promotions over women, start out making more, and in many ways it may because they do not pose the potential threats of needing to take care of children and definitely do not need 12 weeks maternity leave. In this case, women are targeted for their gender and for wanting or having a family.

Apparently, according to many reports, women also have a harder time coming back into the workforce. With the economic decline, women who have been out of work (even though they possess the same skills as men) have had a hard time finding a job. If they do, they often face a pay cut, which (again) causes them to choose what is best for the family.

What can be done to Help Women in the Workforce?

One thing that should be done is, if a woman is just as or more qualified for a job, why not hire her? Also, the discussion of family should not be in an interview. Yet, it seems to come up in the majority. Just because a woman has a family to support does not mean she will work less. In many cases, she works harder.

Another is, since childcare seems to be a big reason for the decline, why not offer affordable childcare on site. Not only would this help women, it would also help the company and bring in new jobs for those seeking work.

Also, stop looking at the job gap for those who have stayed home for their young children, and start looking at qualifications and the interview. Too many employers think a gap means someone does not want to work, when in reality they may have had a valid reason. Raising young children when one is unable to afford good quality childcare is not a bad reason.

However, one statistic seems to be true. Women without children do just as well as men, which seems to say women are punished for having a family.

How can a woman make money without spending it all on childcare?

Right now, the best way to earn an income is to go into fields that are in high demand. The medical field is always in need, human resource, and other areas are in high demand. The pay is great.

Even so, for those who need some extra cash to make ends meet, technology has provided many ways to help. Women have been successful in starting at home jobs and using the internet to help them earn cash from home. They have also become innovative in creating products that appeal to other women or people in general, and have been able to market successfully. Some women run at home daycares, and others take quick food courses in order to sell products to sell. In all, women have figured out ways to work from home, but it is hard and takes time, patience, and commitment.

In all, the workforce needs to help not hinder women. However, for those who do stay at home, enjoy the time with the kids and take every moment to enjoy watching them grow and develope. Knowing you played a very important role in helping.